Catholics were opressed and mistreated by many groups or organizations in the United States for many years. They were rejected by society and violent crimes were committed against them. They struggled a lot but did not give up. Instead they started thinking of new ways so that the United States citizens would accept them and treat them equally.
Catholics found a new way to be treated like they deserved, to assimilate. They decided to assimilate into the American society but they still kept practicing their religion. One of the things they did was to participate in both World Wars. By becoming part of the American army they were showing their loyalty to the nation and they hoped that the citizens would see that. Catholics then started gaining the reputation of being socially responsible and for being leaders in the community. Catholic priests and people became involved in social labor and started caring for the poor. They opened shelters and homes for poor and helped them with basic needs like food or clothing. By doing most of these things, people started changing the way they saw Catholics. Others accepted them because they said it was better to have some religion than not having any type of religion. Catholics started seeing progress when president John F. Kennedy was elected president. JFK was Catholic and although he had a hard time winning the elections he still won. Being Catholic almost cost his election but he succeeded.
The fought for equal rights was a very tough one but they did not give up and they eventually succeeded. Assimilation was their choice so they wouldnt be rejected by American society. They fought in world wars, started showing their care for the poor, opened shelters and a catholic won the United States presidency. Catholicism is one of the religions that is most practiced in the Unites States and that wasnt easy gained. They had to work and gain their respect but they did it and now they are wide known and a very popular religion around the world.
